Crocodiles Bite Off Chewy Noise-Pop Goodness on ‘Dreamless’

Numerology > Vibeology. So, what better way to get to know a band than probing numerical associations? Today we Count Off with Brandon Welchez, frontman of San Diego noise-poppers Crocodiles. Their new album, Dreamless, is due October 21 on the band's own label, the appropriately named Zoo Music. Check out the bouncy, disorienting "Not Even in Your Dreams" below.

1: Describe your band in one sentence.The hardest-working boys in show business.

2: What do your parents think about your music?I don't know that they genuinely like it, but they are very supportive. My dad blew a gasket when I dropped out of college to be a full-time musician, but after so many years he understands, for better or worse, it's just who I am. A few years ago, Nike gave us some custom letterman jackets that aren't my style, so I gave mine to my mom. She wears it now if she comes to shows, which is adorable as hell. They are cool, or at least as cool as you can be about having your dear boy grow up to be a musician.

3: What are three things you can’t do without on tour?Occasional privacy is very important: time to reflect, collect your thoughts and tug on your tallywhacker, if need be. Also, fruit and veg is helpful because there aren't healthy options at most truck stops. It's easy to get very unhealthy, very quickly on the road, so a nice piece of asparagus once in a while is good. Thirdly, books. There is a lot of downtime, so without something to read it can get very boring, very fast.

4: Who do you play music 4?We play music for whoever wants to listen. I hate elitism in music. Music is for everyone.

9: If you could be any musician in a past life, who would it be?I'll answer that with a joke: What's brown and steaming and sits on a piano bench? Beethoven's first movement.

Courtesy of Crocodiles

10: What was your favorite album when you were 10?I loved Nevermind by Nirvana around that time. I was after "intense" music, and until that came out, stuff like Guns N' Roses and Primus was the only thing that could satisfy that, somewhat. Nirvana was a lot closer to what I needed.

50: What’s your favorite state to play in?Usually a state of intoxication.

96: What is your favorite album from 1996?What is it now or what was it then? I was 15 in 1996, so it would have been a crust punk or hardcore punk record then. Now, probably a rap record or a Britpop record or something. No idea.